Rock Star Tom Petty Is Dead at 66

The singer experienced full cardiac arrest.

By Sharecare Editors

Tom Petty, the rock and roll legend best known for fronting Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, is dead at age 66.

Petty was found unconscious, not breathing and experiencing full cardiac arrest in his Malibu home early Monday morning. He was taken to UCLA Medical Center for treatment but could not be revived, his manager, Tony Dimitriades, said in a a statement.

"He died peacefully at 8:40pm PT surrounded by family, his bandmates and friends," he added.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers rose to fame in the 1970s and enjoyed a string of top hits including “American Girl,” “Free Fallin’” and “I Won’t Back Down.” With so many classic rock staples, Petty and the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.

The group just finished their summer tour last week.

Photo credit: musicisentropy

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